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West Chester Weekly News Roundup

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It’s Friday, Dec. 15, 2023: Next year West Chester Park and Rec will begin work on a long overdue comprehensive plan. A checklist of sorts that will outline the course for West Chester parks and events for the next decade or so. It’s all on the table. But first, the borough wants to hear from you. Plus, a new EV ordinance takes a first stab at setting charging capacity requirements for home builders and assaults are on the rise in the borough. Bet you can’t guess where the majority are taking place.  

Who’s ready? Let’s catch up. 

West Chester Parks Are Ready to Shine

West Chester's Bayard Rustin Park on Montgomery Avenue.

Ever wonder when they are going to fix the tennis courts in Hoopes Park? That splash pad at John O’Green? Wish we had a frisbee golf course, pickleball courts, – a place to skate? Have ideas on how to improve the Turks Head Music Festival, the Halloween Parade – Restaurant Festival? Think your neighborhood park is being neglected – or wish we had more green space in general? Have thoughts, do you? 

Well, you’re in luck. Next year the Borough of West Chester begins work on a 10-year comprehensive plan for the entire Parks and Recreation Department and it’s all on the table. 

“It’s literally looking at our entire park system,” Parks Director Keith Kurowski said of the officially titled Parks, Recreation, & Open Space (PROS) Plan. “What are we lacking, what do the folks want, and how do we get there?” That’s 13 parks including activities, maintenance, and upkeep. Plus, all Borough events, land acquisition, and revenue strategies.  

“There are particular areas that could potentially be available for purchase by the Borough to expand our park system,” Keith said, noting that the community is currently underserved recreation space-wise in relation to population. “Coming out of the pandemic, we’ve seen how well used our parks are,” he said. Living across the street from Everhart Park I can attest to that. 

So what is Keith hoping to get out of this plan and how do you get a say? 

The first part is pretty straightforward. “I want to develop a list of priority park improvements,” he said. A checklist of sorts of short-range, medium-range, and long-term plans. “It’s going to cause a lot more work for me but I’m excited,” Keith said about the long overdue endeavor.

While the Borough Comprehensive plan does briefly mention West Chester’s parks, the last entirely park-focused plan is a brief three-page analysis developed in 1986 and last revisited more than two decades ago. “To say it is weak is an understatement,” said Keith. 

This time around the Borough has engaged with one of the area’s foremost experts on the topic Toole Recreation Planning a collaborative team under the engineering/architectural firm Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson. They have done significant work locally including developing a comprehensive plan for Westtown’s Oakbourne Park. 

“In plans like this they come really highly recommended,” said Keith.  

Borough events like the Turks Head Music Festival and the Restuarant Festival are also up for review.

The consultants were selected from an RFP that yielded more than a dozen candidates. They began work earlier this year, familiarizing themselves with West Chester. They toured the parks, attended events, and chatted with residents but the real work begins next year with Phase 2.

For that, Keith is looking for resident help. He is in the process of assembling a 9-member steering committee which will include a representative each from the Borough Council, Planning Commission, Recreation Commission, and business community as well as five residents. Any five residents. 

Don’t have a degree in park management? Never sat on a board before? Doesn’t matter. 

“No prior experience needed,” said Keith. “It is open to anyone who is interested. Have a love of parks? We would love to have you give us a call.” 

The all-volunteer PROS committee will begin meetings in February and will work for a roughly 10-month period helping the consultants compile a final plan that will be presented to Borough Council late next year. The plan will include research, insights, and feedback from three planned community meetings and a resident outreach survey. 

“Coming out of this I don’t want anyone to say they didn’t have the opportunity to provide feedback,” said Keith. “This is their park. This is where they go with their kids to have fun. I want everyone to have input.”

He also wants to hit the ground running in 2025. The goal is to have three “low-hanging fruit” projects ready to go once the final plan is approved. 

“I do not want to come up with a plan that sits on a shelf,” he said. 

Interested in participating? Complete this brief survey and await a call from Keith. “I would love to have the opportunity to talk to 25, 30 people,” he said. 

I think we can make that happen. Applications are due by Dec. 29. 

The Warnings.

Bar fights, like the one that occurred at Ryan's Pub on Nov. 19, are on the rise according to the West Chester Chief of Police James Morehead.

Don’t take it outside. This month at the Public Safety Committee West Chester Police Chief James Morehead reported an increase in assaultive behavior in November. Numbers show a 55 percent increase in assault arrests compared to the same period last year with the majority of incidents occurring in the bar district. “There’s been a little too much activity. Too many bar fights,” Chief Morehead told the committee. 

Don’t fake it til you make it. Earlier this week the West Chester Police Department announced it was awarded a grant from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to combat underage drinking. As part of the grant, several local officers underwent training to better identify fake IDs. “It is our hope that we will be able to prevent alcohol-related crimes and disturbances throughout the town by stopping the purchase of alcohol at its source,” WCPD shared in a statement. 

We have a right to know. Suspicion around recent West Goshen activities continues to mount as the township partially or completely unredacted nearly a third of Right to Know requests submitted by transparency advocate West Goshen Sunshine at the behest of the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. Most commonly redacted information included Employee Investigation Report, Executive Summary, and Status of Investigation. 

Oh (no) Christmas Tree. Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police are urging homeowners to be safe when taking in those fresh-cut trees. Suggested behaviors include making sure the tree is at least three feet from a heat source, is not blocking an exit, and is watered regularly. According to the National Fire Research Laboratory, firefighters respond to roughly 200 Christmas tree fires per year.  Not space heater kind of dangerous, but still be aware. 

Don’t smell the lights. One West Chester dog learned this the hard way after reportedly receiving an electric shock while sniffing around one of the decorated light posts downtown. The borough was notified of the electric post at the corner of Market and Church and promised to check it out but all lights were installed in the same manner so there may be another one loose out there. 

Take a deep breath and savor the moment. You’ll need to if you are traveling on the West Chester Bypass. PennDOT crews will be in the area from Dec. 18 through Dec. 22. Expect periodic closures, delays, and backups from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. while crews are working.

The Accolades.

Jaramillo Salon and Spa. Image: Downtown West Chester

Congratulations to the winners of the West Chester Holiday Window Competition. This week West Chester’s Business Improvement District announced the winners of its annual holiday decorating competition. This year there were 43 entrants but only four winners. Drumroll, please. And the winners are… 

Best Small Window – Balance Hair Studio, 150 E. Gay St.

Best Medium Window – Jaramillo Salon and Spa, 112 W. Courthouse Alley

Best Large Window – Kati Mac Floral, 36 S. High St.

People’s Choice – Charlie and Co. Barber Shop, 130 N. Church St. 

“It’s fun. I’m lucky to have amazing clients and I love to decorate,” said Charlie & Co. owner Amy Trout Rose, who claimed her third consecutive “People’s Choice” crown. 

Diana Jaramillo, owner of Jaramillo’s Salon, faced some new challenges this year after relocating her salon of 25 years from Gay St to Courthouse Alley. “Being in an alley did motivate me to make it as festive as I could,” she said 

And boy, did she rise to the challenge with a gorgeous gold and green archway any woodland nymph would be proud to call home. “‘Don’t go putting baby in the corner’ is my motto,” she said. 

Kati Mac Floral took inspiration from Cinderella. “Because our window is something we are known for, especially at the holidays, we take time each year to brainstorm,” they shared. This year found toadstools, an old dress form, and some newly acquired mice together in a whimsical, woodland princess window.  

I have to applaud the low-key brilliance of this initiative. While the lights and greens are nice, the storefront after storefront of holiday interpretation really brings it home. And if you are thinking, wasn’t this always the case? It wasn’t. The holiday window competition began in 2018. It was an early hit with more than 75 businesses participating in that first year.  

Speaking of successful initiatives, a shout-out to last week’s Christkindlmarkt which, despite being cut a day short due to the rain, drew impressive crowds to the Borough. I heard they were on par with the Restaurant Festival. If you missed last week’s event but were still hoping to support some of the vendors, Downtown West Chester has a list of those who participated on their website.

Finally a couple of sports shoutouts – 

• High fives to the West Chester East’s Alexa Mork. The senior outside hitter was named to the Class 4A All-State Volleyball team.

• Kudos to Rustin swimmer Conor Kirby. This week the sophomore swimmer set school records in the 50 free and the 100 backstroke. 

• Cheers to inter-WC rivalries. West Chester East Girls basketball team downed Henderson Girls, 51 – 46 last Thursday. The Vikings relied on a balanced attack from Sofia Keith, Lauren Horan, and Carly Bickle. This Thursday, West Chester Henderson Boys basketball team got revenge, downing their east-side rivals 71 to 51. Henderson’s Nyle Ralph Breyer led with 25, Nelson Lamizana added 22 points, and 12 boards.

Hello.

If a proposed EV-ready ordinance passes, new construction homes and garages will need to include infrastructure to support at least one future at-home charger.

Say, hello to the electric revolution. Ok, so not quite a revolution but the Borough is looking to take a small step forward in making sure its infrastructure is ready for, if not an EV world, at least a hybrid one. 

This week, the West Chester Smart Growth committee set a hearing date of Feb. 21, 2023, for a still-in-the-works EV Ordinance. The ordinance will for the first time outline electric vehicle infrastructure requirements for developers and home builders. The ordinance outlines two levels of readiness: EV-installed, meaning there is a designated parking space with an associated EV charger installed and ready-to-go and EV-capable, meaning there is capacity in the electrical panel and infrastructure in place to install the necessary charging equipment at such a time as demand requires it.  

The current draft ordinance requires that any new commercial development make sure that 10 percent of parking is capable of supporting future EVs. For residential, that number jumps to 20 percent. While commercial is generally viewed as nice to have, residential charging is seen as crucial to making electric vehicles a viable wide-reaching option. 

West Chester Sustainable Advisory Committee draft recommendations.

The idea behind these ordinances is to begin building out the infrastructure required to support a large-scale shift to electric vehicles and do it in a way that is cost-effective to developers. Even without installing the actual charging stations, just making sure the necessary infrastructure is in place is significantly cheaper if addressed during the building stage. According to a Proposed EV-Ready Ordinance compiled by the West Chester Borough Sustainable Advisory Committee in 2022, installing EV-capable parking spaces in stand-alone retrofits is typically four to six times more expensive compared to making allocations during new construction. 

This clear financial advantage coupled with a rapidly increasing demand for electric vehicles, is perhaps why the SAC suggested, in their ordinance, a significantly higher capability level, particularly at multi-unit residential developments. They suggest 80 percent of new residential spaces are EV-capable with the remaining 20 percent being EV-ready. It is unclear why that number was cut to just 20 percent in the official draft but perhaps we’ll get more insight when the plan goes before the Planning Commission next month.  

Also, it’s hello and welcome to some significant outside investment. According to this month’s Engineer’s Report, the Borough submitted 14 grants this year representing $7.94 million in potential funds. So far the grant writing team has a 100 percent success rate. To date, the Borough has learned it has received five grants or $1.4 million in additional funds. The remaining grant winners have yet to be announced. The 14 grants written this year are more than the prior five years combined.

Finally, say hello to a new holiday mini box from Dia Doce. I love these. This year’s version includes a gingerbread cupcake, Santa’s vanilla-chip snack, hot cocoa, and red velvet peppermint. Boxes are $20 each. Orders must be made by phone and received by Dec. 22. Pick up is on Dec. 23 or Dec. 24. A few rules, but they are worth it.  

Goodbye.

December commencement ceremonies begin today at WCU.

So, I think the headline says it all – Property taxes going up 5% in West Chester for 2024 and is more helpful than the live stream of Monday’s public hearing, which caught nothing but the 5-1 vote. 

What we learned – 

• Increasing police salaries were not the problem they were thought to be. Salaries added only $47,500 to next year’s budget. They will, however, likely be a 2025 concern as contract negotiations are set to continue into the new year. 

• Additional revenue will instead go to “road maintenance” and “capital project needs.” This is according to a memo shared with Borough Council and the mayor.  

• Healthcare insurance continues to wreak havoc. Councilman Bernie Flynn, the lone dissenting vote, objected to the Borough’s assumption that it would receive a $272,000 health care rebate next year. 

“The administration has clearly stated that the Borough will not be receiving this annual rebate on our health care premiums,” he said in a statement. “To borrow a quarter of a million dollars to balance a governmental budget shows a lack of financial stewardship and is not sustainable.”

If the Borough doesn’t receive a rebate, there will be a big budget hole to fill – but hey, that’s now next year’s problem. As is where to find some extra cash. According to the Borough’s calculations, a  homeowner with a home assessed value of $178,635 will see a tax increase of $70 next year.

Use that as your benchmark to plan accordingly.

Find more on the budget here including the new millage rate.    

Say goodbye to Rite Aid store #11152. While West Chester made it through the first round of bankruptcy closures unaffected, it was not to be on the second round. In late November, the Philadelphia-based pharmacy amended its Chapter 11 paperwork to add 31 locations to the closing list. Four of those locations are in PA and one is right down the road at 927 Paoli Pike in the West Goshen Shopping Center. These closures are in addition to the 154 announced previously.

Rite Aid filed bankruptcy in October citing weak sales and the rising costs of opioid-related lawsuits. According to chain reps, the company could see a net loss of as much as $680 million in the current fiscal year, which will end this spring. 

This week it’s a goodbye and good luck to the 1,167 West Chester University students who will make their way across the stage to gather their diplomas and start the journey to the rest of their lives. There will be one ceremony on Friday night and three additional on Saturday. Tickets are required for all ceremonies. If you are interested in attending you can find more information here. 

Pay It Forward.

Good Fellowship Ambulance services the West Chester area.

Good Fellowship would like to give you the gift of peace of mind for the new year and all it will cost you is $65 for an individual and $125 for a family. It is part of their annual subscription program under which members do not pay out-of-pocket expenses for treatment or transportation during the membership year. 

The program can be a win-win if you find yourself using emergency services even once a year. Ambulance companies, especially those like Good Fellowship that respond to emergencies, are commonly separate from insurance networks meaning they can bill patients for whatever insurance won’t cover. Under the program, those after insurance expenses are waived. This includes co-payments and deductibles but only on medically necessary emergency care and drives to hospitals in the immediate area. 

For ambulance companies, the funds can be used to offset high material costs. Ambulances and other life-saving equipment can run between $100,000 and $250,000 depending on what is being purchased. 

“This subscription program helps offset these costs, ensuring our patients are treated and transported with state-of-the-art vehicles and equipment,” the ambulance company shared on its website. 

Bonus: all donations over $100 are tax deductible. Learn more about the program and sign up for your subscription here.

I don’t know what S.E.T. is, but I do know a lot of people with excess sports equipment, and S.E.T., whoever they are, is holding a sports equipment holiday drive at East High School. If you have some equipment you would like to see freed from your garage before a new batch arrives, you can drop it off at the East’s main office. They will be collecting equipment from now until January 5. 

Finally, a PSA. The Little Free Pantry outside The Master’s Baker is a little bare. If you have a minute and a non-perishable good or two, maybe stop by and drop it off?  

The Weekend Marquee by Uptown

Dec. 20: The Last Big Band 

Dec. 21: Gillian Grassie 

The holiday spirit lives at Uptown with holiday classics from the Last Big Band on Dec. 20. Then Gillian Grassie returns to her hometown for a magical solstice event. Get your tickets now!

The Freakin’ Weekend.

Fight the Grinch. Less than ten shopping days until Christmas.

What are you up to this weekend? We will be visiting family over the holidays so we are having an early Christmas this weekend. I am excited for the gift opening and cinnamon rolls. Less thrilled it will be cut short by a Sunday morning basketball game. Then next week we are meeting some friends at the Sleigh Bar (aka Slow Hand). Who’s been? I heard it’s awesome. 

I

f you are around, Happy Bakery is hosting a Happy Hour tonight from 4 to 8 p.m. There will be cookies, brownies, and banana pudding but no buns. For those, you’ll have to wait until morning. The Artisan Exchange is hosting a Holiday Market and Lobster Roll Fest on Saturday, Master Baker is bringing back their adorable cup of cheer cakes and Mae’s has a new prosciutto and honey crisp apple toast that looks divine.

And finally, a very special thank you to this week’s Community Sponsor Cassie Shankweiler Real Estate. As a Chester County native, Cassie understands the community and brings a promise of clear communication and fresh energy to all her clients. Give her a call if you are looking to buy or sell a home in the West Chester area!

View a list of all our amazing Community Sponsors here.

Advertisers: Ad space is closed for 2023. Woohoo! It’s been an amazing year and I thank everyone for the continued support. If you are interested in promoting your business in the new year, email me at [email protected] and I will get you details. Ad spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Readers: I will be moving to a subscription model in the new year which will help defer costs and simplify the process for me. I am still working out details on how this will work, but starting in 2024 the newsletter will only be available to registered email subscribers. A big thank you to everyone who has contributed this year (or before). Sincerely. I wouldn’t still be doing this without you. And know if you have already donated no matter when or how much, next year is on me! If you haven’t and would like to, you can do that below. I figure it would only take $10 a person – if everyone does their part!

Yes, I support Hello, West Chester

Mark your calendars:

• Dec. 15 – WSFS Bank Toy Drive & Breakfast, St. Agnes School – Thomas Patrick Hall, 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and stay for a complimentary breakfast. Registration is required. 

• Dec. 15 – 17 – The Nutcracker, WCU Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, Friday, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Performances by the Brandywine Ballet. Running time is approximately 2 hours including a 15-minute intermission. 

• Dec. 15 – 16 – December Graduation Ceremonies, WCU Hollinger Field House. Check the WCU website for tickets and complete details. 

• Dec. 15 – Meet the Artist Reception, Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, 6:00 p.m. Meet photographer Kathy Boyle and enjoy her images of Chester County.

• Dec. 15 – Holidays in Hollywood – Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. From the sultry crooning of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from Meet Me in St. Louis to the energetic “Jingle Bell Rock” from Mean Girls, this cabaret features a diverse array of musical genres. Tickets: $25/adult; $17/kids 11 and under; $5 more at the door.

• Dec. 15 – East Jazz Concert, East HS, 7 p.m.

• Dec. 16 – West Chester University Spring Semester ends. Last day of final exams.

• Dec. 16 – West Chester Growers Market, Chestnut and Church St. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Dec. 16 – Christmas at Marshall Square Park, Marshall Square Park, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Join Santa and friends for a morning of fun activities tailored to the younger set. Email [email protected] for more information.

• Dec. 16, Holiday History Stroll, Chester County History Center. 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m start. During this 90-minute stroll, guides in costume review the rituals of Christmas past. Visit the churches, stores, and cultural sites that mattered most to the early residents of West Chester. Tour includes a stop at Eclat Chocolate. (Yum.)  Tickets – $20/each

• Dec. 16 – Making Spirits Bright Holiday Music Series, Historic Chester County Courthouse, 2-3 p.m. Local choirs and performers sing your favorite holiday songs.

• Dec. 16 – Santa on the Fire Truck, Downtown West Chester, 3 – 4 p.m. Santa will be escorted through the streets of Downtown West Chester by First WC Fire Co.

• Dec. 17 – Touch a Truck, 201 N. Church Street, 10 a.m. – noon. There will be ambulances, police cars, fire trucks, and construction vehicles. This popular event gives kids the opportunity to learn about dozens of vehicles.

• Dec. 17 – The Nuttiest Nutcracker Movie & Craft – and parent’s afternoon off! Uptown Theater, 2 – 5 p.m. Drop your kid(s) off for movie, holiday craft and snack and go shopping in West Chester!  Tickets $25/kid includes craft and snack.

• Dec. 17 – Holiday Give Back Event, Saloon 151, 2 – 5 p.m. West Chester Pizza (and now West Chester Steaks) owner Speer Madanat will be guest bartending. All tips made during his shift will be donated to St. Agnes who will use the money to help West Chester families during the holiday season.

• Dec. 17 – Jitters Quizzo, Jitters – 146 W. Gay St, 7 – 10 p.m. Every Sunday

• Dec. 17 – Kildare’s Karaoke Night, Kildares – 18 W. Gay St., 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Every Sunday

• Dec. 18 – $5 Monday Night Movie, Uptown Theater, 7 – 9 p.m. Free popcorn included! Showing – It’s a Wonderful Life

• Dec. 19 – Stetson and Rustin Orchestra Concert, Rustin HS, 7 p.m.

• Dec. 19 – The Cartoon Christmas Trio, Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, 6:30 p.m. Since its inception in 1995, The Cartoon Christmas Trio has  been the premier interpreter of the classic soundtracks of holiday cartoon music,  especially “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Tickets are $25/adult; $18/kids – $5 more at the door.

• Dec. 20 – Iron Hill Gives 20%, Iron Hill, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Dine at Iron Hill any Wednesday in December and they will donate 20 percent of the check to the West Chester Food Co-op. You just need to show this flyer.

• Dec. 20 – The Last Big Band Holiday Show – Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. Join jazz musicians Larry McKenna and Erich Cawalla as they perform a variety of holiday classics. Tickets $35 in advance; $40 at the door.

• Dec. 20 – Henderson Winter Concert, 7 p.m.

• Dec. 21 – Labyrinth Solstice Walk, Everhart Park, 5 – 6:30 p.m. A walk through a labyrinth can be an opportunity to pause and reflect. The labyrinth is located in the SW corner of the park. Philly Hots Food Truck will be onsite if you want to grab a bite after your walk.

• Dec. 22 – Twelve Twenty-Four: The Holiday Rock Orchestra – Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. Twelve Twenty-Four presents a high energy, full-scale, holiday rock orchestra concert. Tickets: $50 or $55; $5 more at the door.

• Dec. 23 – West Chester Growers Market, Chestnut and Church St. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Dec. 23 – Elmo & Bluey’s Ugly Sweater Party, Lulu’s Casita, 9:30 a.m. Elmo and Bluey are getting together for a special holiday celebration. Email [email protected] for details. 

• Dec. 23 – A Dream is a Wish, Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Theater, 1 p.m. The enchanting A Dream Is A Wish Princess Holiday Concert features your favorite holiday and Disney classics. Sing along to Let It Go, Rudolph, Part of That World, Jingle Bells, and many more. Tickets: $30/adult; $25/kids 12 and under. $5 more at the door.

• Dec. 23, Holiday History Stroll, Chester County History Center. 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m start. During this 90-minute stroll, guides in costume review the rituals of Christmas past. Visit the churches, stores, and cultural sites that mattered most to the early residents of West Chester. Tour includes a stop at Eclat Chocolate. (Yum.)  Tickets – $20/each

• Dec. 23 – Michael Rudolph Cummings’ Holiday Extravaganza, Brickette Lounge, 8 p.m. Get in the holiday spirit with folks from Heavy Temple, Taking Back Sunday, All Else Failed, Backwoods, Payback, Rhythm Addicts, and more.

• Dec. 23, 24 – Christmas in West Chester, Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, 5 p.m. Celebrate the Holy Moment of Christmas with 938 Church at Uptown.

Psst. Like to plan? Here’s our complete Holiday Event List and check out the Calendar page for events through January.

That’s it. Stay safe, stay healthy, and I’ll see you next week. (Last issue of the year!)

Oh, one more thing, if you think one or more of your friends would like Hello, West Chester, too, please forward this newsletter and tell them to come and join us.

Hello, West Chester Community Sponsors

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